Fall 2006 - North Dakota Medicine

nature off the football field and into theclassroom.I always knew what I wanted todo, ONeal explained when askedwhy he took class work more seriouslythan most of his teammates. When Iwas playing football, people called mea perfectionist. I was just ascompetitive in the classroom.ONeals hard work paid off,earning him a Bachelor of Sciencedegree in athletic training in 2003.Following graduation, ONeal waslucky enough to work with both theNew York Giants and the WashingtonRedskins football teams on athletictraining internships. These experiencesfurthered his interest in PT.At the Redskins I worked with aPT/ATC [physical therapy/athletictraining-certified] and I really enjoyedeverything I did, he said. Theexperience showed me that PT waswhat I wanted to do.When he returned to Boise he tooka job as an ATC/rehab tech at St. LukesIdaho Elks Rehabilitation Services. Itwas there that he learned of thephysical therapy program at UND.I worked with so many PTs fromUND and they were all just great,ONeal said.Some of the UND alumni heworked with in Boise included WilliamMoats (BSPT 82), Scott Billing (BSPT94, MPT 95), Jerret Hopstad (BSPT97, MPT 98), Kelly Jorschumb (BSPT02, MPT 03), Eric Paur (BSAT 01,MPT 04, DPT 04), Lynae Jost (DPT05), and Kristi Kjellgren (DPT 05).When I was looking at PTprograms they convinced me to applyto UND, he said.I was accepted into twoprograms, he said. UND and theprogram in my hometown.He chose UND, even though itwould cost more and he had neveractually been in North Dakota.First of all, it was a doctorateprogram instead of just a mastersdegree, he explained. Plus, I thinklearning is more than reading the wordsin books. It is about new experiencesand different people. I left Texas forcollege to experience something newand I came to North Dakota for thesame reason. I love it here, he said,hesitating. Ok, not the weather, butthe people and the school are great.Even though I have a relateddegree and I have been working inphysical therapy for a while, Im stillchallenged here, he says. What welearn is very practical. It is informationthat we can apply directly to our work.-Amanda ScurryO’Neal’s Career at Boise State University● One of seven WRs to see extensive playing time in the 1999 season● Made nine catches totally 99 yards and two TDs in 1999 season● Played in all 11 games of BSU’s 2000 season● Caught seven passes in 2000 season totaling 81 yards and one TD● Clocked as the fastest Bronco during spring 2000 testing(4.45 sec 40-yard dash)● Western Athletic Conference Scholar Athlete Award 2001XUND sophomore physical therapy student Brian O'Neal played wide receiver forthe Boise State University Broncos in the 1999, 2000 and 2001 seasons.NORTH DAKOTA MEDICINE Fall 2006 21